Israel Defender Eli Dasa Signs Two-Year Deal With Maccabi Haifa

Maccabi Haifa announced Sunday that Israel national team defender Eli Dasa has agreed to terms with the club for the next two years. Dasa, who will wear green until the summer of 2028, will join the team immediately after starting the season as a free agent. He had not signed with any club since leaving NEC Nijmegen of the Netherlands in the summer. Despite being without a club, Dasa was called up by Ran Ben Shimon for the national team's recent international window, a decision that drew criticism.

Dasa returns to Israel after seven years abroad. He left Maccabi Tel Aviv in September 2019 for Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands, then moved to Dynamo Moscow in Russia in September 2022. In September 2025, he returned to the Netherlands on a one-year contract with NEC Nijmegen.

The announcement came as Maccabi Haifa prepared for their upcoming match against Hapoel Jerusalem. Coach Barak Bakhar's team has won four of their last five games, including three consecutive victories. A win against Hapoel Jerusalem would bring them within one point of league leaders Maccabi Tel Aviv, who dropped points in a draw.

"We have four days to work together," Bakhar said at a press conference. "We have a full squad except for Cedric D'Un, who is injured. We are in a good place, but we still have a lot to improve, and tomorrow's game will be very important." He expressed disappointment about the fans boycotting the game, stating, "Football without fans is not worth it," but added he understood their reasons. Regarding the opponent, Bakhar noted, "History is not relevant, it's a new season with new players. We need to come to the game to continue the momentum. We will face a strong team that scores many goals, and we will need to continue with the good things and improve the less good ones. There are no easy games in this league, we saw Maccabi Tel Aviv."